Clarinet Reeds

There’s no one perfect reed for every player. Whichever one is right for you depends on factors like your level of experience, personal playing style, and tonal preferences. Some players prioritize warmth and flexibility, while others look for greater projection, crisper articulation, or additional durability. You can always experiment with different cuts and strengths to find the reed that best suits you and your instrument. And if you’re still not sure where to start, the D’Addario Reed Finder is a great resource.

Unfiled reed, also known as “American cut” reeds, have more bark remaining on the surface of the reed, and tend to provide additional stability and projection. Filed reeds, also known as “French-filed cut,” remove this extraneous bark and typically have a more flexible response. Neither is necessarily better; the choice comes down to your playing style and performance needs. 

The ideal strength allows you to produce a full, controlled sound without feeling overly resistant or too easy to play. The ideal strength of reed is highly dependent on the tip opening of your mouthpiece. The more space that lies between the tip of your mouthpiece and the tip of your reed, the softer your reed needs to be. The less space that lies between the tip of your mouthpiece and the tip of your reed, the stronger your reed needs to be. It’s common for beginners to start on strengths 2.0 or 2.5 and to move to stronger reeds as their embouchure and air streams become more secure. Advanced and professional players can play on any strength of reed, and their choice is usually dependent on the specific mouthpiece that they use.

The lifespan of your reed varies depending on how often you play and how well you take care of them. Playing on one reed all the time wears it out quickly. We recommend that beginning clarinet students rotate between four reeds to get at least a month of life from your reeds.

Rotate between four reeds and take turns with each one. It helps if you add numbers or fun labels to your reeds so that you can tell them apart. If you go to band class on Tuesday, use reed #1. When you practice at home on Wednesday, use your #2 reed, and so on. Rotating between several reeds instead of playing just one helps them wear more evenly, prolongs their lifespan, and gives each reed time to dry properly between playing sessions.

After playing, allow your reed to dry before storing it in a protective reed case. Proper storage helps the reed maintain its shape, reduces warping, and prolongs its lifespan. For beginners we recommend the D’Addario Reed Guard, which comes in a few fun colors and holds four reeds, making it perfect for your rotation routine! Don’t store your reed on your mouthpiece or in the paper or plastic reed holders they come in. Doing so will cause your reed to “warp” so that it’s no longer flat. It's very difficult to get warped reeds to vibrate well against the mouthpiece.

It's time to replace your reed when it’s easy to overpower your reed with your normal airstream. You’ll know that is happening when it becomes difficult to blend with other players or when you start struggling with your tuning. You'll also need to replace your reed if you notice chips, cracks, or mold on your reed. 

Each reed line is designed differently to accomplish certain effects. Rico is designed to play easily and help you make a good sound while you’re still learning the basics. Royal offers the same ease of playability, with a warmer sound and a filed cut for more flexibility. Mitchell Lurie is known for its mature tone quality and a little extra resistance. It’s a great stepping stone between beginner-friendly reeds like Rico and Royal, and the more premium Reserve line, which features longer profiles, more cane, and a stable, clear tone. You can find more information here. 

Unlike traditional cane reeds, which are made from a grass called Arundo donax, synthetic reeds are made from engineered materials and provide greater consistency and durability. Their tone and playing characteristics remain more stable from day to day, even as temperature and humidity change.

Our entire cane reed portfolio is now USDA Certified Organic, which means that no pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or harsh chemicals are used at any stage of production, from the field where the cane is grown to the production and packaging of each reed.